Marvel comic book creator Stan Lee accused of sexual harassment

Comic book legend Stan Lee created some of the popular superheroes of all time, including Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and the X-Men. Although he’s currently in his 90’s, the man behind Marvel is still going strong, appearing at multiple comic book conventions every year, and making memorable cameos in all the blockbuster movies based on his characters. However, now Stan Lee’s character is being called into question, after being with hit with several allegations of sexual misconduct.

According to The Daily Mail, the 95-year-old Marvel creator sexually harassed the nurses who used to care for him at his Los Angeles home. “He doesn’t seem to care what people think of him, he’s lost his filter,” said the source. “There has been a stream of young nurses coming to his house in West Hollywood and he has been sexually harassing them. He finds it funny. He walks around naked and is vulgar towards the women, he asks them for oral sex in the shower and wants to be pleasured in his bedroom. He uses the word p—y and f–k in their presence. He’s also very handsy and has groped some of the women, it’s unacceptable behavior, especially from an icon like Stan.” (Uh, yeah, no kidding.)

The female owner of the nursing company received several complaints from her employees, and they quit working with Stan at the end of 2016. Currently the two parties are engaged in a legal dispute. As of now, no lawsuits have been filed and no police complaints have been made. In a statement issued to The Daily Mail, Stan’s lawyer ‘categorically denied’ all of these ‘despicable allegations,’ calling them a blatant attempt at blackmail and extortion.

“Mr. Lee categorically denies these false and despicable allegations and he fully intends to fight to protect his stellar good name and impeccable character. We are not aware of anyone filing a civil action, or reporting these issues to the police, which for any genuine claim would be the more appropriate way for it to be handled. Instead, Mr. Lee has received demands to pay money and threats that if he does not do so, the accuser will go to the media. Mr. Lee will not be extorted or blackmailed, and will pay no money to anyone because he has done absolutely nothing wrong.”

So, sorry Marvel comic book fans. I know this news sucks more than the Ben Affleck Daredevil movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and all the Fantastic Four films. However, a representative for the nursing company that currently works with Stan insists that he has been nothing but “polite, kind and respectful.” So, I guess it’s a case of he-said, she-and-she-and-she-and-she-said. Is the nonagenarian comic book icon really guilty of creeping on nurses? Or is the nursing company making up false charges to try to get a piece of that sweet Marvel money? Either way, it’s a depressing story.

Hopefully Stan Lee doesn’t have a villainous alter ego. But sadly, it wouldn’t be surprising, after so many other beloved figures in the entertainment industry were accused of sexual misconduct (like Dustin Hoffman and Louis CK). People love Stan’s cameos in superhero movies, but nobody wanted to see him make a cameo in these sexual harassment stories.